Briatore and Alonso Concede Defeat, Monaco Could Decide

Recent comments by the Renault boss suggest he and Renault have conceded defeat for the 2009 season. The comment, 'The World title means less if Brawn GP win it'. As we all absorb what is happening in F1 with Jenson Button and Brawn GP streaking away with their respective championship leads some of the more fancied teams are struggling. McLaren, Ferrari, Renault and BMW are coming to terms that they are playing catch up. It's all quiet in the McLaren garage as they and their reigning World Champion go about rectifying the situation. At Ferrari they and their drivers remain up beat that there will be a turn around, as early as the Monaco Grand Prix. If Flavio Briatore's comment came midway through the 2008 season it  may have been perceived differently but four races into the season it is more a signal that Renault simply haven't the answers to Brawn GP's success.

In 1952 the authorities, moved by low numbers for the up coming season after the withdrawal of some teams, decided the world championship would be run to Formula Two regulations in a bid to strengthen the grids. Ferrari were in a favorable position and Alberto Ascari ran away with the title. But there was no suggestions from any quarters that his title and his subsequent title in 1953 were less important.

It's evident that rule changes have been a part of and will remain to be part of F1. The competing teams of 1952/53 got on with the job of catching the leaders. No sour grapes there.

Briatore and any others that have the notion that the titles will be less prestigious if won by Brawn GP should be grateful that indeed the rule changes have transformed F1 to a more fan friendly competition. F1 is in the news for all the right reasons. As the factory teams come up to speed, and they will, towards the end of the season it might well be a massive fight for the titles. This would be extremely pleasing for all involved. Briatore is suggesting that Renault won't be a part of this.

Renault has just nine points, almost thirty points behind their customer team, Red Bull Racing. Renault's Nelson Piquet Jnr. is under enormous threat to preform or be replaced and double world champion Alonso who has scored all of Renaults points is struggling to be where he and the team needs to be. Piquet is not assisting in their endeavour and this may well be what has Briatore in a fix.

Briatore is an astute team manager as he has shown in the past. Guiding Michael Schumacher and Alonso to World Drivers Championships. We could feel for him although this is a sport after all.

Briatore should take comfort that his team isn't alone. Toyota is at present the only team to be above their customer. This fact points out the teams that have done their homework. Renault were in a position of catch twenty-two last season. Alonso came on strong towards the latter part of 2008 which Renault supported sacrificing development for season 2009. 

If McLaren and Ferrari and others had similar views then the sport would be in a spot of bother. The sport needs the factory teams and after their continued success it would be a shame if they elected to depart and not support a sport that has been in ways kind to them.

Alonso fuelled speculation on Renault's future when he suggested he wouldn't race in F1 against new F1 teams. If, and only if, these manufacturers leave the sport we could see the grid made up with non-factory teams. It would be a return to the sixties and seventies where private teams dominated the grids. As Alonso points out up to ten of the best drivers in the world would be watching from the grandstands. Monaco will be a decisive point in the 2009 season.